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USA 1-2 in Olympic Halfpipe

by

USSA

2013-02-16 10:08

Torin Yater-Wallace and Gus Kenworthy topped the podium in the pre-Olympic halfpipe in Sochi.

ROSA KHUTOR, Russia (Feb. 16) - Torin Yater-Wallace (Aspen, CO) and Gus Kenworthy (Telluride, CO) battled through fog and rain to go one-two for U.S. Freeskiing in the pre-Olympic test event of the halfpipe at Rosa Khutor outside Sochi. It was the first opportunity for the top athletes in the Olympics' newest event to visit Sochi and test the new pipe.

HIGHLIGHTS

Torin Yater-Wallace (Aspen, CO) soared to his first win of the season in the pre-Olympic halfpipe skiing World Cup at Rosa Khutor outside Sochi.

Gus Kenworthy (Telluride, CO) had a career best halfpipe finish in second.

David Wise (Reno, NV) was unable to impress the judges as he has through the Visa U.S. Freeskiing Grand Prix and X Games events recently and was fifth.

QUOTESTorin Yater-WallaceI'm happy with my results. Everyone skied well considering the weather. I mean there were a few people that fell that could have put down sick runs, but that happens it's a competition. It feels cool to be here at the Olympic venue - it's a pretty good halfpipe - it's long. The weather wasn't great but hopefully next year it's not as rainy and humid out, but you can't change the weather.

It was sweet - the venue is really cool you have the aerials and moguls right next to the pipe and a big staff setting everything up I think next year will be great - if I make it.

Gus Kenworthy

I would put this up there as really happy and satisfied with my skiing. Typically I get the least results in pipe, I am better at slope and big air. I'm on cloud nine right now. I am really stoked to land on the podium especially with such good riders there with me. It was a little tricky, but the fog wasn't too bad once you're in the pipe the visibility is a lot better than it looks from the top or the bottom. The little bit of rain kind of sped things up a bit, so speed was good and it was soft and fun and it worked out.

With the Olympic attention I think that things have kind of stayed the same for us and we've stayed true to the core of the sport as far as our identity as athletes. There is such a huge platform for us to compete on and it provides us a lot of opportunities. The U.S. Freeskiing team is really amazing and they have really been helping out with training facilities and I think it's working.

Maddie Bowman

I'm really disappointed with myself. I just couldn't get my trick dialed on this pipe. It's been a great experience to check out Russia and where the Olympics will be, but I am looking forward to going home before World Champs and just having some fun skiing and seeing my brother who is going to visit me in Park City.